Yes, the copyright page matches the 1st printing; down to the 'Cover illustration by Pauline Baynes', which leads me to ask: if these few were specially bound at the printers, why isn't there something to say so, on this page or elsewhere?

I think someone somewhere along the line is not being entirely accurate. it looks to me like just another re-bound 1st paperback.

Thanks for pointing out the letter, Trotter. This was a late addition to the vendor's listing; I didn't see it yesterday.

If this was in 1969, I wonder why an ordinary paperback would have been re-bound? However, as I can see no date on the letter (more of a memo) I don't think we can take these exagerrated claims at face value. This one seems typical of this vendor -

"Any others of these that exist are being CHERISHED by Tolkien's closest family members!"

I've also had a friendly email from [removed-BH] in regards to the seller's claims. I'll see what he says about the letter, which wasn't available to read yesterday when I emailed him. Anything pertinent will be posted here first.

It does just look like a rebound copy of the pb. Wayne might be able to comment on more recent 'special' bound copies of various editions. I'm pretty sure some 50th Aniversary editions of LotRs (standard or deluxe --I don't recall) were bound in full leather for a select few i.e. Wayne & Christina, Christopher, & perhaps various other folk involved in the publication. So there are 'special' editions out there; doubtful whether this is one though...

BH

Posted on: 2010/6/12 10:52

Edited by Khamul on 2010/6/13 9:21:45

_________________You drive a hard bargain – you can have it for £10 all-in – one consolation (for you) is that you do not have to hear the cries of my children, for bread...